System and method for remotely communicating with a broadband modem

ABSTRACT

A method for remotely communicating with a Broadband modem is provided. Once a communication error is detected on a Broadband modem, a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) connection is established between the Broadband modem and a remote server. Communication then occurs with the remote server via the POTS connection using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones. The communication preferably comprises transmitting information associated with the communication error to the remote server via the POTS connection using DTMF tones and receiving a diagnosis from the remote server via the POTS connection in DTMF tones. A system for remotely diagnosing a Broadband modem as well as a Broadband modem is also provided.

[0001] The present invention relates generally to Broadbandtelecommunications. More specifically, the present invention relates toan alternative system and method for communicating with a Broadbandmodem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] While high-speed or Broadband Internet connections to largebusinesses have been in existence for some time, Broadband Internetconnections to homes and small businesses have only recently become morecommonplace. Broadband technologies such as ISDN (Integrated ServicesDigital Network), cable modems, satellite, and DSL (Digital SubscriberLine), are all competing for market share. The two technologies at theforefront, DSL and cable, offer much faster Internet access than dial-upmodems, for a cost substantially lower than ISDN.

[0003] Analog modems over regular telephone lines are not fast enoughfor today's Broadband multi-media content. In fact, so-called 56 Kbpsmodems actually move data at approximately 44 Kbps because oftelephone-line imperfections. Furthermore, these modems only reach thatspeed when receiving data, not sending it.

[0004] Basic ISDN transfers data at 56 Kbps, while an improved form ofISDN has a maximum speed of 128 Kbps. ISDN is, however, expensive,running up to several hundreds of dollars a month. Furthermore, ISDN isonly approximately four times the speed of a 33.6 Kbps modem.

[0005] Another option, satellite, which uses the same type of mini-dishantenna typical of broadcast television can receive data at up to 400Kbps. However, transmitted data still has to be sent through atraditional analog modem at 33.6 Kbps or 56 Kbps.

[0006] Cable modems, enable one to hook up a computer to a local cabletelevision line and receive data at about 1.5 Mbps. This data rate farexceeds that of both 56 Kbps analog modems, and the 128 Kbps of ISDN.The actual bandwidth for Internet service over a cable TV line is up to27 Mbps for receiving data, and up to about 2.5 Mbps of bandwidth fortransmitting data. However, since the local provider may not beconnected to the Internet on a line faster than a T1 at 15 Mbps, a morelikely data rate will be closer to 1.5 Mbps. Cable, however, suffers thedrawback that it is carried on existing cable television lines, whichnot all homes, and especially not all small businesses are equippedwith. Furthermore, available bandwidth is shared with other cable usersin the same geographic area.

[0007] DSL, on the other hand, is 20 times faster than satelliteconnections, 60 times faster than ISDN, and 250 times faster than 33.6Kbps analog modems. DSL or xDSL, as used herein, refers to differentvariations of DSL, such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line),HDSL (High bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line), and RADSL (Rate AdaptiveDigital Subscriber Line). Assuming that the location of one's home orbusiness is close enough to a telephone company central office (CO) thatoffers DSL service, one can receive data at rates up to 6.1 megabits(millions of bits) per second. More typically, individual connectionswill provide from 1.544 Mbps to 512 Kbps downstream and about 128 Kbpsupstream. Best of all, those bits are transmitted via the same copperwire, otherwise known as a twisted pair, one uses for telephone calls,but without the complex setup of ISDN. DSL does this by taking advantageof unused frequencies that exist on standard telephone lines. An addedadvantage is that the original POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)frequencies remain free to handle voice traffic over the same twistedpair. Yet another advantage is that unlike cable modems, DSL users donot share their Broadband connections with others in the samegeographical area.

[0008] However, not all twisted pairs can support DSL service. Thequality of different twisted pairs vary according to geographic region,age, gauge, and the distance from the CO. Speed of transmission slowswith an increase in distance between the customer premises and the CO.

[0009] Furthermore, bridged taps and splices, which are unconnectedcopper cable between the customer premises and the CO (the result ofanticipating customer needs for future expansion or the result ofre-assigning copper once routed to one customer to be used by anothercustomer) may also prevent the transmission of DSL signals.

[0010] In addition, load coils will prevent the transmission ofhigh-frequency DSL signals within a loop. Load coils were deployed toimprove the voice quality of loops greater than 18,000 feet. Stillfurther, Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs) were designed in the early 1970sto combine multiple voice channels (as many as 24 voice lines) into asingle T1 transport line. They provided an economical and quick way ofadding additional voice lines for remote customers. DLCs use digitaltechniques similar to those used by DSL equipment. Since the bandwidthof the copper pair is already in use by the DLC equipment, DSL willperform at a greatly reduced rate, if at all, depending on the volume ofvoice calls and the type of DLC equipment. Connecting DSL equipment toDLCs can also adversely affect the performance of the voice-basedsystem.

[0011] Moreover, line noise from adjacent copper cable can affect theperformance of DSL service. A number of contributing factors, includingcable shielding, unbalanced lines, and the presence of adjacent T1circuits, can cause line noise. In turn, line noise can affect the errorrates of data transmission, resulting in decreased transmission speedsfor DSL equipment.

[0012] All of these factors affect the ability of the existinginfrastructure to carry DSL signals. Depending on local conditions, someof these impediments may make DSL service impossible.

[0013] The primary participants in provisioning the DSL service are theDSL Internet Service Provider (ISP), and the local telephone provider,i.e., the telephone company that owns the twisted pair running to theuser. Typically, the request for service is initiated from the user tothe DSL ISP. The DSL ISP then requests the local telephone provider toprovision a line from the local telephone provider to the user.

[0014] Once a local telephone provider has ascertained that DSL servicecan be provisioned over the user's existing twisted pair, a twisted pairis connected between the customer premises and to the CO, through aDigital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM). The local telephoneprovider normally has a DSLAM installed in the local telephoneprovider's CO prior to provisioning the user's twisted pair. The DSLAMis then connected to the DSL network through a router. In most cases atechnician is then sent out to set up and install a DSL modem at theuser premises.

[0015] Recent developments have all but eliminated the need for sendinga technician to the user to set up and install the DSL modem. Thesedevelopments allow the user to merely connect the modem to theprovisioned twisted pair and a power source, and then turn the modem on.The modem then establishes a DSL circuit and automatically configuresitself with important network information from the ISP, such as anInternet Protocol (IP) address. Further details of such automaticconfiguration can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/668,623, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0016] However, there are instances where a DSL circuit cannot beprovisioned at all. For example, where the user has not connected theDSL modem to the correct twisted pair, where the local telephone companyhas not properly provisioned the twisted pair, where the ISP fails totransmit the network information to the DSL modem, or the like.

[0017] In these situations the user usually either refers to a usermanual or contacts the DSL ISP's customer support. This results inaggrieved customers and expensive customer support centers. Where theuser or a customer support representative cannot diagnose the problem, atechnician must be sent to the user premises to set up and install themodem. It has been estimated, that a typical service call to set up aDSL modem, currently costs in the region of $300 for the DSL ISP.

[0018] Therefore, a need exists for a system and method forcommunicating with a Broadband modem that does not require the use of apreexisting Broadband circuit. Furthermore, a system and method forremotely diagnosing the Broadband modem would also be highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] According to the invention there is provided a method forremotely communicating with a Broadband modem. Once a communicationerror is detected on a Broadband modem, a Plain Old Telephone System(POTS) connection is established between the Broadband modem and aremote server. Communication then occurs with the remote server via thePOTS connection using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones. Thecommunication preferably comprises transmitting information associatedwith the communication error to the remote server via the POTSconnection using DTMF tones and receiving a diagnosis from the remoteserver via the POTS connection in DTMF tones.

[0020] Further according to the invention there is provided a system forremotely diagnosing a Broadband modem. The system includes a telephonecompany central office coupled to both a data network and a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN). The system further includes aBroadband modem coupled to the telephone company central office via atelephone line. The Broadband modem is configured to communicate dataand Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones over the telephone line. Inaddition, the system includes a remote server coupled to the PSTN, wherethe remote server is configured to communicate with the Broadband modemusing DTMF tones.

[0021] Still further, according to the invention there is provided aBroadband modem. The broadband modem includes a Central Processing Unit(CPU), communications circuitry, and a DTMF transceiver. The Broadbandmodem includes a memory having Broadband communication procedures, DTMFtransceiver procedures, and a DTMF protocol. In addition, the Broadbandmodem the includes a bus connecting the aforesaid components.

[0022] The above can be used to help debug configuration errors thatprevent the modem from communicating through the Broadband connection toother configuration services, thereby eliminating or reducing the numberof calls the user must make to customer support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Additional objects and features of the invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description and appendedclaims when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the system architecture accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the DSL modem shown in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the remote server shown in FIG. 1;and

[0027]FIGS. 4A and 4B are a flow chart of a method of remotelycommunicating with a DSL modem.

[0028] Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] For ease of explanation the following description and drawingsrepresent a DSL system. It should, however, be clear to those skilled inthe art that the present invention may be embodied in any Broadbandsystem without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined in the accompanying claims. The Broadband system isany high speed communication system.

[0030]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the system architecture 100according to an embodiment of the invention. Traditional telephoneservices, otherwise known as Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS) allowtelephone users to communicate with one another over a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN). Typically, copper telephone wires 116(A) or116(B), also known as twisted pairs, connect analog input devices (POTSdevices) 110(A) or 110(B), such as telephone sets, to a telephonecompany central office (CO) 118. The CO 118 in turn connects to the PSTN132 to allow telephone calls to be placed between geographicallydispersed POTS devices.

[0031] The POTS devices 110 take an acoustic signal (which is a naturalanalog signal) and convert it into an electrical equivalent in terms ofvolume (signal amplitude) and pitch (frequency of wave change). Becauseanalog transmission only uses a small portion of the available amount ofinformation that can be transmitted over copper wires, the maximumamount of data that can be communicated using analog signals is about 56Kbps.

[0032] A remote server 142 is coupled to the PSTN 132, preferably over aT1 line 140, which is a 1.544 Mbps point-to-point dedicated, digitalcircuit. The remote server 142 is also preferably operated by the DSLISP.

[0033] DSL does not convert the digital data into analog form and backagain, allowing the telephone company to use a much wider bandwidth fortransmission. DSL allows the signal to be separated so that some of thebandwidth is used to transmit an analog signal, such that use of atelephone and computer on the same line, and at the same time, can occursimultaneously.

[0034] There are two main types of DSL systems used today, namelyregular ADSL 106 and splitterless ADSL 108. Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) is forInternet access, where fast downstream is required, but slow upstream isacceptable. Symmetric DSL (SDSL, HDSL, etc.) is designed for short haulconnections that require high speed in both directions. Unlike ISDN,which is also digital but travels through the switched telephonenetwork, DSL provides “always-on” operation.

[0035] Asymmetric DSL shares the same line as the telephone, because ituses higher frequencies than the voice band. However, a POTS splitter112 must be installed on the customer's premises to separate the linebetween voice and data. Splitterless ADSL, also known as G.lite,Universal ADSL, or ADSL Lite, is geared to the consumer by eliminatingthe splitter and associated installation charge. All telephones on thetelephone line must, however, plug into low-pass filters to isolate themfrom the higher ADSL frequencies.

[0036] The twisted pairs 116(A) or 116(B) connect to a telephonecompany's central office 118, currently, up to 18,000 feet(approximately 5.5 Km) away. A splitter 120, at the telephone company'scentral office 118, separates voice calls 124 from data 122. Voice calls124 are routed by a POTS switch 130 to the PSTN 132, and thereafter areswitched to their destination.

[0037] Regular ADSL 106 transmits data 122 from a client computer 102(A)to a Broadband modem 104(A), otherwise known as a Gateway, hereafter“DSL modem”. A splitter 112 then differentiates between voice and data.Voice travels on the first 4 kHz of frequency, while the higherfrequencies, up to 2 MHz depending on line conditions and wirethickness, are used for data. Once the splitter 112 has differentiatedbetween voice and data, the data are then transmitted to the telephonecompany's central office 118 over the twisted pair 116(A).

[0038] Splitterless ADSL 108 transmits data 122 from a client computer102(B) to a Broadband modem 104(B), hereafter “DSL modem”. The DSL modemthen sends the data signal to the telephone company's central office 118over the twisted pair 116(B). The analog input device 110(B) connects tothe CO 118 via a micro filter 114.

[0039] Once the data signal is received at the telephone company'scentral office 118, a splitter 120 directs the data signal 122 toanother Broadband modem 126, hereafter “DSL modem”. The DSL modem 126then transmits the data signal 122 to a Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexer (DSLAM) 128. The DSLAM 108 links multiple DSL modems througha single high-speed asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network 134 to aBroadband Service Node (BSN) 136. An ATM network is adedicated-connection switching technology that organizes digital datainto 53-byte cells or packets and transmits them using digital signaltechnology. The BSN 136 allows service providers to aggregate tens ofthousands of subscribers onto one platform and apply highly customizedInternet Protocol (IP) services to these subscribers.

[0040] The BSN 136 then routes the data signal, at speeds up to 1 Gbps,over an IP network to the Internet 138. In a converse manner, datarequested by the client computer 102(A) or 102(B) is retrieved from theInternet 138 and routed back through the DSLAM 128 and DSL modem 126 atthe telephone company's central office 118 before arriving at the user'sDSL modem 104.

[0041]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the DSL modem 104 shown in FIG. 1.The DSL modem 104 comprises at least one data processor or centralprocessing unit (CPU) 202, a memory 212, communications circuitry 204,communication ports 206(1)-(N), a communications jack 208, such as aRJ11 female telephone jack, a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)transceiver 252 coupled through a micro-filter 254 to the communicationsjack 208, a DSL transceiver 256 also coupled to the communications jack208, and at least one bus 210 that interconnects these components.

[0042] The communications circuitry 204 and/or communication ports206(1)-(N) preferably include one or more Network Interface Cards (NICs)configured to communicate using Ethernet. Furthermore, thecommunications circuitry 204 and DTMF transceiver 252 that communicatewith the PSTN preferably include a SILICON LABS Si3044 Direct AccessArrangement (DAA) connected directly to a MOTOROLA MPC850 via a TimeDivision Multiplexing (TDM) bus. A separate Digital Signal Processor(DSP) is preferably not included in the DSL modem 104. The DAA is thesection of DSL modem hardware that connects to the POTS line 116(FIG. 1) through the communications jack 208. The DAA is required inorder to meet the safety requirements of the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC). The DTMF transceiver 252 is also preferably capable ofsimultaneously sending and receiving five to ten DTMF tones per second.

[0043] The Si3044 is a DAA that offers global compliance through aprogrammable telephone line interface. A digital synchronous serialinterface is provided to connect to a wide variety of DSPs and hostprocessors. The chipset is fully programmable for AC and DC termination,ringer impedance and ringer threshold, and the device supports billingtone detection, polarity reversal, and pulse dialing enabling it to meetthe most stringent global PTT requirements. The Si3044 offers a numberof features, including line voltage monitoring (up to 72V in 2.25V/bitresolution), parallel phone operation, higher transmit/receive levels(up to +3.2 dBm), and lower telephone line current consumption inon-hook line monitor (caller ID) mode.

[0044] A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm preferably runs on theMPC850 to perform DTMF reception. In a preferred embodiment, the DAA isconnected through a micro-filter 254 to the inner pair of wires of atelephone line of a single RJ11 jack 208.

[0045] For splitterless ADSL, the user is not required to connect aseparate POTS line to the DSL modem, i.e., only the single POTS lineprovisioned by the user's local telephone company for DSL service needsto be plugged into the communications jack 208.

[0046] Memory 212 preferably includes an operating system 214 (such asVXWORKS™, or EMBEDDED LINUX™), having instructions for communicating,processing, accessing, storing, or searching data, etc. Memory 212 alsopreferably includes a unique modem serial number 216 and the hardwareversion 218 for the DSL modem hardcoded into the memory 212. Inaddition, the memory 212 includes Broadband communication procedures220; DTMF transceiver procedures 222, such as a FFT algorithm; a DTMFprotocol 224; HTTP (Web) server procedures 226; HTTP (Web) Pages 228;timer procedures 230; diagnostic procedures 232; DSL serviceconfiguration procedures 238; and a cache 246.

[0047] Broadband communication procedures 220 are used for communicatingwith the client computers 102 (FIG. 1), modem 126 (FIG. 1), DSLAM 106(FIG. 1), ATM network 134 (FIG. 1); BSNs 136 (FIG. 1), and the Internet138 (FIG. 1).

[0048] The DTMF protocol 224 are the rules governing transmitting andreceiving of data used to communicate with the remote server 142(FIG. 1) over the PSTN 132 (FIG. 1). The DTMF protocol 224 uses DTMF,which is a multifrequency signaling system in which standard setcombinations of two specific voice band frequencies, one from a group offour low frequencies and the other from a group of four higherfrequencies, are used. The protocol preferably sends and receives DTMFtones at 5 to 10 DTMF tones per second. All communication isasynchronous in nature to simplify the protocol. All DTMF signalsreceived are preferably acknowledged by a reply signal.

[0049] The HTTP (Web) server procedures 226 are used to serve the HTTP(Web) Pages 228. The timer procedures 230 are used to record the passageof time, while the diagnostic procedures 232 are used to diagnosecommunication errors, as explained in further detail below in relationto FIGS. 4A and 4B. The diagnostic procedures 232 include POTS hookstatus procedures 258 for detecting whether a POTS line is on oroff-hook, POTS dial-tone detector procedures 234 for detecting thepresence of a POTS dial-tone on the twisted pair 116 (FIG. 1), andDSL-signal detector procedures 236 for detecting the presence of aDSL-signal on the twisted pair 116 (FIG. 1). A POTS dial-tone is aregular telephone dial-tone as heard when lifting a receiver of atelephone handset.

[0050] The DSL service configuration procedures 238 are used toconfigure the DSL modem 104 to communicate over a Broadband circuit,hereafter “DSL circuit”. More specifically, the configuration procedures236 include DSLAM syncronization procedures 240; Permanent VirtualCircuit (PVC) connectivity procedures 242; and Internet Protocol (IP)connectivity procedures 244. The DSLAM synchronization procedures 240are used to configure the DSL physical link of a DSL circuit. The PVCconnectivity procedures 242 are used to configure a Permanent VirtualCircuit of the DSL circuit, as explained in further detail in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/668,623, which is incorporated herein byreference. The IP connectivity procedures 244 are used to configure theIP layer of a DSL circuit as is well understood in the art.

[0051] The cache 246 includes a temporary history of prior diagnosticsessions 248 with the remote server 142 (FIG. 1) and the currentsoftware version 250 of the software stored in the memory 212.

[0052]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the remote server 142 shown inFIG. 1. The remote server 142 also comprises at least one data processoror central processing unit (CPU) 304, a memory 314, communicationscircuitry 306, a DTMF transceiver 308, a communications jack 310, userinterface devices 302, such as a keyboard and monitor, and at least onebus 312 that interconnects these components. The communicationscircuitry 306 preferably consists of one or more T1 cards, while theDTMF transceiver 308 is preferably capable of simultaneously sending andreceiving five to ten DTMF tones per second on multiple linessimultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, two T1 lines would givefourty six lines operating simultaneously on one remote server.

[0053] Memory 314 preferably includes an operating system 316 (such asWIDOWS NT or LINUX), having instructions for communicating, processing,accessing, storing, or searching data, etc. Memory 314 also preferablyincludes communication procedures 318; DTMF transceiver procedures 322;a DTMF protocol 324; HTTP (Web) server procedures 326; HTTP (Web) Pages328; timer procedures 330; diagnostic procedures 332; and a userdatabase 338.

[0054] Communication procedures 318 are used for communicating with theDSL ISP's servers (not shown), such as configuration servers,authentication servers, or the like. The DTMF protocol 324 is used tocommunicate with the modem 104 (FIG. 1) over the PSTN 132 (FIG. 1) usingDTMF, as described above. The HTTP (Web) server procedures 326 are usedto serve the HTTP (Web) Pages 328. The timer procedures 336 are used torecord the passage of time, as explained in further detail below inrelation to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0055] The diagnostic procedures 332 are used to diagnose communicationerrors, as explained in further detail below in relation to FIGS. 4A and4B. The diagnostic procedures 332 include Automatic NumberIdentification (ANI) detection procedures 334 and reporting procedures336. The ANI detection procedures 334 are used for identifying thebilling telephone number of an incoming call, while the reportingprocedures 336 are used to report communication errors to the DSL ISP.

[0056] The user database 338 includes details 340(1) to (N) for eachuser, such as a user identifier, the telephone number of the telephoneline for which DSL service was provisioned, etc. The user database 338also includes a log of prior diagnostic sessions 344 for each user.

[0057]FIGS. 4A and 4B are a flow chart of a method 400 of remotelycommunicating with a DSL modem 104 (FIG. 1). Once the user has plugged atwisted pair into the communications jack 208 (Figure) and plugged theDSL modem into a power source, the DSL modem is powered up 402. If theuser has also connected his/her client computer/s 102 (FIG. 1) into theports 206 (FIG. 1) of the DSL modem, the DSL modem preferably requests404 a user identifier from the user via the client computer. In apreferred embodiment the user identifier is the user's telephone number.Alternatively, the request 404 may occur at a later time during themethod 400, or not at all.

[0058] The client computer receives 406 the request for a useridentifier, and once the user has supplied his/her user identifier,sends 408 it back to the DSL modem, which receives 410 it and stores itin the cache 246 (FIG. 2).

[0059] All communication with the client computer is handled by the DSLservice configuration procedures 238 (FIG. 2), using the HTTP (Web)server procedures 226 (FIG. 2) to serve a HTTP (Web) page 228 (FIG. 2)to the user via a HTTP (Web) browser on the client computer.

[0060] The POTS hook status procedures 258 and POTS dial-tone detectionprocedures 234 (FIG. 2) then attempt to detect 412 POTS service on thetwisted pair. If no POTS service is detected (412-No), then a message istransmitted 414 to the client computer. This is performed using the HTTP(Web) server procedures 226 (FIG. 2) to serve a HTTP (Web) page 228(FIG. 2 to the client computer. The message informs the user that noPOTSservice was detected and the possible causes and remedies for thiserror, such as that the twisted pair is not plugged into the DSL modemand that the connection should be checked. The client computer receives416 the no POTS service message and displays 422 it to the user. The DSLmodem continues to attempt to detect 412 POTS service until one isdetected.

[0061] If POTS service is detected (412-Yes), then the DSL-signaldetection procedures 236 (FIG. 2) attempt to detect 420 a DSL-signal,which is an indicator that the twisted pair has been provisioned for DSLservice.

[0062] If a DSL-signal is detected (420-Yes), then the DSLAMsynchronization procedures 240 (FIG. 2) of the DSL service configurationprocedures 238 (FIG. 2) attempt to synchronize 422 the DSL modem withthe DSLAM 128 (FIG. 1).

[0063] If DSL synchronization (422-Yes) is successful, then the PVCconnectivity procedures 242 (FIG. 2) attempt to establish 424 aPermanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) as is well understood in the art anddescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/668,623.

[0064] If a DSL PVC is established (424-Yes), then a DSL circuit can beestablished and DSL service can proceed 426 as usual. Proceeding withDSL service 426 may include configuring the DSL modem through the DSLcircuit.

[0065] It should be appreciated that detecting a DSL-signal 420,detecting whether synchronization with the DSLAM can be established 422,and detecting whether a DSL PVC can be established 424, are merelyexamples of communication errors 425 that can be detected by the system.Any other communication error 425, such as failing to communicate with aconfiguration server or failing to establish IP connectivity, may alsobe detected. Failing to establish IP connectivity is detected by the IPconnectivity procedures 242 (FIG. 2). If a communication error 425occurs, then there is no need to proceed with the configuration setupsince Broadband connectivity cannot be established.

[0066] If DSL-signal 420 is not detected (420-No), if the DSL modemcannot synchronize with the DSLAM (422-No), or if a DSL PVC cannot beestablished (424-No), then the timer procedures 230 (FIG. 2) and/ordiagnostic procedures 232 (FIG. 2) determine 428 either whether any newcommunication errors have been detected since last reporting to theremote server, and whether a certain amount of time, such as tenminutes, have elapsed without rectifying the detected communicationerror. If no new communication errors have been detected, or a certainamount of time has not elapsed (428-No), then this determining step 428is repeated until such time that it is satisfied.

[0067] A lack of DSL-signal can be attributed to many problems, such asthe wrong phone line (twisted pair) is connected to the modem, there isno cross-connect at the CO, or any other wiring problem. Problems withDSLAM synchronization might be a wiring problems or line noise.

[0068] If a new communication error is detected, and a certain amount oftime has elapsed (428-Yes), then the DTMF transceiver procedures 222(FIG. 2) establish 430 a POTS connection with the remote server 142.This preferably involves dialing a random one of a number of toll freetelephone numbers hardcoded into the DSL modem, where the toll freetelephone numbers are associated with the remote server. Alternatively,the DSL modem dials a first toll free number to obtain a second tollfree number for a specific modem serial number. The second toll freenumber is then dialed to establish the POTS communication with theremote server 142. The establishment 430 of a POTS connection occursautomatically without user intervention.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment, the detection 412 of the POTSservice on the twisted pair, transmittal 414 to the client computer,receipt 416 by the client computer, and display 422 it to the user alloccur only once it is determined that a new communication error isdetected, and a certain amount of time has elapsed (428-Yes).

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, only one POTS connection isestablished by the DSL modem for each step of the setup that fails. Forexample, if the customer has no DSL-signal, a POTS connection isestablished. No further POTS connections will be made until theDSL-signal problem is resolved. When that happens, if the customer thenhas another configuration problem, such as a problem with DSLsynchronization or PVC connectivity, the gateway establishes a secondPOTS connection, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the user caninitiate a POTS connection from a HTTP (Web) page displayed in a browseron the client computer.

[0071] When establishing the POTS connection, the DSL modem does notdial unless all telephones connected to the twisted pair are on-hook andno ring signal is present. If a telephone goes off-hook at any timeduring the call, the gateway finishes its call and then goes backon-hook, rather than hanging up immediately. Alternatively, the POTSconnection is terminated to go on-hook immediately. However, this wouldnot give the customer a dial tone, and the typical length of such a POTSconnection is only about 30 seconds long.

[0072] It should also be noted that the POTS connection may fail for anumber of reasons, such as:

[0073] No Dial-tone

[0074] The DSL modem cannot call out if no dial tone is on the line, butit will display a message to the user on a status web page informing theuser of the error.

[0075] POTS line busy

[0076] The DSL modem will not interrupt the user's POTS call. It willmake its call to the remote server when the user hangs up.

[0077] User interrupts DSL modem's call

[0078] The DSL modem will continue its call and hang up when finished.This takes less than 30 seconds.

[0079] DSL modem unable to reach remote server

[0080] This may happen for many reasons, such as the remote server isbusy, the remote server is down, or there is a problem with the PSTN. Inthis case, the DSL modem will implement a back-off algorithm so that itdoes not tie up the user's phone line (twisted pair). The DSL modem willpreferably attempt a second call in one hour, a third call in six hours,a fourth call in 24 hours, and a fifth call in three days. If the fifthcall does not go through, it will give up. The back-off algorithm isreset when the DSL modem is power cycled or when a particular failurecondition is repaired.

[0081] Once the POTS connection has been established 430 between the DSLmodem 104 (FIG. 1) and the remote server 142 (FIG. 1), they communicatewith each another using the DTMF transceivers 208 (FIG. 2) and 308 (FIG.3), DTMF transceiver procedures 222 (FIG. 2) and 322 (FIG. 3), and DTMFprotocol 224 (FIG. 2) and 324 (FIG. 3).

[0082] The DSL modem then transmits 432 information to the remoteserver. This information may in its simplest form include a request fordata, such as configuration data. However, in a preferred embodiment,the information includes information associated with the detectedcommunication error 425. The information may include the modem'ssoftware version 250 (FIG. 2), hardware version 218 (FIG. 2), serialnumber 216 (FIG. 2), phone number entered by the user (if any), the DTMFProtocol version number; the highest configuration state that the DSLmodem has achieved; DSL Upstream Speed; DSL Downstream Speed; DSLstatus, etc. The DSL status preferably includes: DSL-signal status; PVCstatus; “no line signal detected;” “signal detected from DSLAM;”“synchronized with DSLAM;” “received a packet over ATM layer;” “IP layerping worked,” etc. This information is subsequently received 434 by theremote server.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the remote server, using the AMdetection procedures 334 (FIG. 3), then performs ANI to determine thebilling telephone number of the twisted pair from which the POTSconnection was established 430. In a preferred embodiment, thediagnostic procedures 332 (FIG. 3) then attempt to diagnose 438 thecause of the communication error. For example, the ANI detected billingnumber may not be the same as the twisted pair that was configured forDSL service by the local telephone company (as stored in the userdatabase 340 (FIG. 3) or obtained from the user 404-410). The diagnosisis then preferably date/time stamped and saved in the user database 340(FIG. 3) as a diagnostic session 342 (FIG. 3).

[0084] Data, such as the diagnosis or configuration details, are thentransmitted to the DSL modem, which receives 422 the data. If the datacontains configuration details, the DSL modem configures 444 itselfusing the data. If the data contains a diagnosis, the diagnosis ispreferably transmitted 446 to the client computer, which receives 448the diagnosis, stores the diagnosis in a database (not shown), anddisplays 450 it to the user. The diagnosis displayed may instruct theuser to try and rectify the problem, or if the cause of thecommunication error cannot be determined, or it is not possible for theuser to correct the error, to call the ISP customer support.

[0085] The remote server, using the reporting procedures 336 (FIG. 3),may then generate 452 one or more reports which are displayed 454 to anISP system administrator using the HTTP (Web) server procedures 326(FIG. 3), HTTP (Web) pages 328 (FIG. 3) through the user interfacedevice/s 302 (FIG. 3). These reports preferably list the communicationerrors, diagnostic sessions, users accessing the remote server, etc.

[0086] While the foregoing description and drawings represent thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understoodthat various additions, modifications and substitutions may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it willbe clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may beembodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions,and with other elements, materials, and components, without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentlydisclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoingdescription. Furthermore, it should be noted that the order in which theprocess is performed may vary without substantially altering the outcomeof the process.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remotely communicating with aBroadband modem, comprising: detecting a communication error on aBroadband modem; establishing a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS)connection between said Broadband modem and a remote server;communicating with said remote server via said POTS connection usingDual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said detecting comprises detecting that a Broadband circuitcannot be provisioned over a twisted pair connected to said Broadbandmodem.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said communicating comprises:transmitting information associated with said communication error tosaid remote server via said POTS connection using DTMF tones; andreceiving a diagnosis from said remote server via said POTS connectionin DTMF tones.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmittingsaid diagnosis to a client computer.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid transmitting comprises communicating diagnosis information in theform of a Web-page from a Web-server on the Broadband modem to a clientcomputer's Web-browser.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said detectingstep comprises detecting that a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) tone doesnot exist on a twisted pair connected to said Broadband modem.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said detecting step comprises determiningthat said Broadband modem cannot synchronize with a Digital SubscriberLine Access Multiplexor (DSLAM).
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein saiddetecting step comprises determining that a Permanent Virtual Circuit(PVC) cannot be established from said Broadband modem.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, before said detecting step, the step ofdetecting POTS service.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprisingacquiring an identifier from a user of said Broadband modem.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, before said establishing step,the step of ascertaining that new information associated with saidcommunication error has not yet been sent to said remote server.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, before said establishing step,the step of ascertaining that a Broadband circuit has not beenprovisioned within a predetermined time.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein said communicating comprises sending information associated withcommunication error to said diagnostic server, where said information isselected from a group consisting of: a serial number of said Broadbandmodem, a hardware version of said Broadband modem, a software version ofsaid Broadband modem, an identifier acquired from a user of saidBroadband modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) tone information, DigitalSubscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) connectivity information,Virtual Circuit connectivity information, Internet Protocol connectivityinformation, and any combination of the aforementioned.
 14. The methodof claim 1, wherein said communicating comprises: transmitting a requestfor configuration details to said remote server via said POTS connectionusing DTMF tones; receiving said configuration details from said remoteserver via said POTS connection in DTMF tones; and configuring saidBroadband modem using said configuration details.
 15. A system forremotely diagnosing a Broadband modem, comprising: a telephone companycentral office coupled to both a data network and a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN); a Broadband modem coupled to said telephonecompany central office via a telephone line, where said Broadband modemis configured to communicate data and Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)tones over said telephone line; and a remote server coupled to saidPSTN, where said remote server is configured to communicate with saidBroadband modem using DTMF tones.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereinsaid telephone company central office comprises a Digital SubscriberLine Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) coupled to the data network
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein said telephone company central officefurther comprises: another Broadband modem coupled between the DSLAM andthe Broadband modem; and a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) switchcoupled to the PSTN.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein said Broadbandmodem comprises the following components: a Central Processing Unit(CPU); communications circuitry; a DTMF transceiver; a memory,comprising: DTMF protocol procedures remote procedures; and DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL) service configuration procedures; and a busconnecting the aforesaid components.
 19. The system of claim 15, whereinsaid remote procedures comprise: Plain Old Telephone System (POTS)dial-tone detection procedures; and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) tonedetection procedures.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein said DSLservice configuration procedures comprise: Digital Subscriber LineAccess Multiplexor (DSLAM) synchronization procedures; Permanent VirtualCircuit (PVC) connectivity procedures; and Internet Protocol (IP)connectivity procedures.
 21. The system of claim 15, wherein saidBroadband modem comprises a Webserver and Web-pages.
 22. The system ofclaim 15, wherein said remote server comprises: a Central ProcessingUnit (CPU); communications circuitry; a DTMF transceiver; a memory,comprising: DTMF protocol procedures; and remote procedures; and a busconnecting the aforesaid components.
 23. The system of claim 15, whereinsaid remote procedures comprise Automatic Number Identification (ANI)detection procedures.
 24. The system of claim 15, wherein said memoryfurther comprises a user database containing previous remote sessiondata.
 25. The system of claim 15, wherein said memory further comprisesa user details.
 26. A Broadband modem comprising the followingcomponents: a Central Processing Unit (CPU); communications circuitry; aDTMF transceiver; a memory, comprising: Broadband communicationprocedures DTMF transceiver procedures; and a DTMF protocol; and a busconnecting the aforesaid components.
 27. The system of claim 26, whereinsaid memory further comprises: diagnostic procedures; and DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL) service configuration procedures.
 28. The systemof claim 27, wherein said diagnostic procedures comprise Plain OldTelephone System (POTS) dial-tone detection procedures.
 29. The systemof claim 27, wherein said diagnostic procedures comprise DSL-signaldetection procedures.
 30. The system of claim 27, wherein saidconfiguration procedures comprise: Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexor (DSLAM) synchronization procedures; Permanent VirtualCircuit (PVC) connectivity procedures; and Internet Protocol (IP)connectivity procedures.
 31. The system of claim 26, wherein saidBroadband modem comprises a Webserver and Web-pages.